Ecoboost freeway observations

[Snaporaz]

I drove the TT and family south of Portland on I5 for a few hours. It's a relatively flat stretch of freeway. 55-60 mph, 11.5 mpg, 1500 rpm and very quiet. Usually I drive over mountain passes so this was the first long flat stretch for me so thought I would share the numbers.

[kjohn73]

You must have been running in 6th. I ran mine 3500 miles over the past three weeks, mostly at 90kph (about 50mph) in 5th in tow/haul. We averaged right around 13-14mpg (Canadian gallon). Truck seemed to be lugging in 6th and noticed no difference in mileage to run in 5th. As I got down south near Saskatoon and Regina, I ran at 100kph (62mph), the mpg dropped to 10-11.

Just for comparison, last summer, we pulled that trailer to Whitehorse with our old 1997 Suburban, gas 350, got around 9-10, engine running around 24-2500. The old girl used about 3/4 of a liter of oil every day. It doesn't use any when not pulling a trailer.

Our truck pulled the trailer like you say, very quiet. Ours is a 6.5' box, Supercrew 4x4 XTR.

[kjohn73]

Because the truck shows everything in US gallons, I add about 20% to what the instrument shows. I have verified the mileage by actual fill, drive and fill, then calculate the true mpg. It is actually pretty close if I add 20% to what it shows on the dash.

I started a firestorm of insults and Ecoboost bashing on another forum when I posted what mileage i got on a trip with no trailer. Got called out as a liar, etc. We do live in interesting times!

[smurfs_of_war]

The ecoboost has one of the most zealous following of purists I can ever recall. I suspect I read that thread. Never heard that kind of bickering when it was just the trusty old 5.4 and 4.6 mod motors.

[mcfarmall]

As far as the manufacturers mileage ratings are concerned, my belief is that they (car companies) all overstate their numbers as far as they can without being sued. With that being said, I really never expected to achieve the EPA mileage ratings on the sticker. With the EB people are either thrilled with their mileage or terribly disappointed. Power comes with a price and I bought my EB for the power and nothing else. In the torque, HP and 0-60 times I have been very satisfied. The thing tows like an ox with a cattle prod jammed where the sun don't shine.

[robkelly]

All I hear is great things about the EB, but I HATED the one I test drove - felt underpowered unless I put my foot in it, and then it felt overpowered. What am I missing?

[Mustang65]

I always snicker when I read these posts. Reminds me of the mid/late 1960's. My car is faster than your car... no it is not. Well back then it was settled in a 1/4mile (.155342798km?). I was always a GM guy, with no other engine but BIG blocks (427, 425,455CID). Here is an interesting note, my 1965, Oldsmobile 442 off the show room floor turned 13.65 in the 1/4mile, while a ecoboost off the show room floor beat that time. Granted, the 65 melted half the tires before getting any where, but a V6 with twin turbos... not bad! (After getting tires/engine mods the 65 ran constantly in the low 12's)

So, after researching my TV options (GM, Toyota, RAM....V8's, 150's 250's...) for a few months, I decided on the Ford ecoboost. Since less than 10% of my mileage was going to be towing, a diesel engine was eliminated.

Am I happy, yes!!! But to me what ever you decide on as a TV, is probably best for your needs. Will I buy another ecoboost...? Don't know, that will be based on current technology at that time.

Just my thoughts
Don

[mcfarmall]

Originally Posted by robkelly

All I hear is great things about the EB, but I HATED the one I test drove - felt underpowered unless I put my foot in it, and then it felt overpowered. What am I missing?

The F150 has the adaptive transmission PCM control thingy that constantly learns and adjusts to your driving style. The one you test drove was learning how to run from a clean slate..just learning its ABC's and how to count, if you will. The more you drive it the more it learns and adapts to your driving style.

Two identical trucks, one driven by a high school boy who got it from mom and dad for his 16th birthday and the other driven by a 70 year old retiree back and forth to Golden Agers Club meetings will perform very differently. If the two people traded vehicles for a month they would adapt to their respective drivers habits and perform accordingly.

I had my EB's PCM re-flashed when it was a year old and boy did it act different until I whipped it back into submission.

[12VOLTMAN]

I have been driving V8 pickup trucks since I learned to drive, so it was a huge leap for me to go to the ecoboost. I've been pleased with it so far, but I didn't buy it for the mpg. I think that people who buy it thinking they're going save big at the pump are setting themselves up for disappointment. Also, the early ecoboosts had their share of issues that gave them a black eye from the start. Personally, I love how quiet the engine is and I love the whistle of the turbo. I have never owned a truck that was more comfortable than my 2013 crew cab, or that was as fun and effortless to drive. This truck drives like a sports car, but rides like a Cadillac!

[robkelly]

Originally Posted by mcfarmall

The F150 has the adaptive transmission PCM control thingy that constantly learns and adjusts to your driving style. The one you test drove was learning how to run from a clean slate..just learning its ABC's and how to count, if you will. The more you drive it the more it learns and adapts to your driving style.

Two identical trucks, one driven by a high school boy who got it from mom and dad for his 16th birthday and the other driven by a 70 year old retiree back and forth to Golden Agers Club meetings will perform very differently. If the two people traded vehicles for a month they would adapt to their respective drivers habits and perform accordingly.

I had my EB's PCM re-flashed when it was a year old and boy did it act different until I whipped it back into submission.

Great explanation, thanks!

[kjohn73]

Sorry to disappoint anybody, but I bought this truck because it had a 6.5' box, large fuel tank, supercrew cab, right colour. The fact that it had an EB engine was neither here nor there. I did not post my experience to brag or lord it over anybody. Frankly, I don't mind the get up and go it has. Nor do I care if others have a 1000 hp. train engine in their truck. I posted for others to get a sense of what they might expect. No other reason.

[Mikeos]

Thanks for the info.
I have a 2014 Ram 2500 5.7L hemi 3.73 rear.
We like the truck. It is quite ,rides good for a large truck and has the payload that I need. I think that todays trucks are all good . I picked mine because of the price and payload,how it drove.
I get 9MPG towing 7500lbs of Jay Flight with motorcycle and mc lift in the bed at 850#.
Wanted a light truck but payload became an issue.
Pro Pride 3 hitch make towing a joy !
Mike

[Snaporaz]

All of my towing will involve mountain ranges so the low RPM torque appealed to me. This was my first long stretch of flat freeway so I was able to get a good strong MPG average that others could compare to. Just passing this real world info along for other people doing research.

Personally, I place a high premium on quiet and purring along at 1500 RPM is a pleasant experience. I read the unloaded mileage complaints before purchasing so no surprise for me there. I bought it to tow and it's great. If Ford would have advertised more the low noise of the engine It would have made my decision much easier.

Also, I have noticed my MPG increasing as the motor breaks in as others have claimed. I'm close to 5k now and my mileage went from 8 at 3k to 9.5 at 4.5k for the same trip. There are probably some other variables involved but I can't think of them.

[dmward]

Might as well chime in here, since I have an EcoBoost and did a couple of thousand miles (3300+ km) already this summer, including through the Black Hills.

I used to tow a 19H (~4000lbs) with it and would have to check the rear-view to make sure that the trailer was still there. Only concern was not going too fast, with trailer tires being rated what they are.

Moving to a 28DSBH (~7000lbs; hitch is 640lbs), I was little nervous. I knew the truck was rated for 11000lbs, but I was concerned about payload, given that I have 4x4, SCrew cab and carry a couple of kids. Nevermind moving from 21' to 32' in total length.

After the first short trip, I figured out that I need some sway control, so I invested in a dual cam. The next trip was through the Black Hills area, which doesn't have the longer mountain grades, but does have some good climbs and descents, with turns thrown in for fun. We didn't travel much on the interstate, so lots of ups and downs. The Black Hills trip averaged 23L/100km (10+ mpg). I didn't think this was too bad, given the ups/downs and we had 2 stretches of head/side winds (+1 on dual cam). I have towed on flat ground, with a tail wind, and mileage was 18L/100km (13 mpg).

My truck + hitch + trailer combo has performed excellent. The EB stays around 1500rpm in cruise between 60-65mph. Plus it still has lots of "boost" leftover for passing when needed.

The important thing, I think, is that you have to look at your entire setup (truck/hitch/trailer).

The EB is a great engine for my purposes (general commuting & towing 7000lbs).

[12VOLTMAN]

Question... Are you guys just putting the truck in tow haul mode and letting it do it's thing?

[dmward]

Yes.

Originally Posted by 12VOLTMAN

Question... Are you guys just putting the truck in tow haul mode and letting it do it's thing?

[Mustang65]

Originally Posted by dmward

Yes.

2X
Don

[mcfarmall]

I also utilize tow/haul when towing. Sometimes I run it on the trip from home to work and back just for fun.

[kjohn73]

Tow/haul when I am towing, yes.

[Upuaut]

I love my EB. Without the TT I am a commuter to work - 50 miles each way and I drive it pretty aggressively. On our first towing trip, using Tow/Haul and driving pretty conservatively (but 60mph on highway) I was surprised to see almost exactly the same gas mileage - about 16 mpg. Seems pretty good for towing, and it towed like a dream. Going up a long pretty steep grade - kept speed no problem with barely 1/4 accelerator. Amazing engine.